Tired of keeping old belongings in overpriced storage? No more space in the attic, not even for one more box? Keen on making a few pounds and clearing some invaluable space in your home, garage or garden shed? Look no further than the Chiswick Car Boot sale, West London’s biggest and best attended where it is estimated that for the right price you can part with seventy per cent of what you have brought with you.
What Sells?
In short, just about anything from old swimming goggles to valuable antiques. A brief wander around the two hundred or so cars lined up over the playing fields of Chiswick Community School will tell you anything you need to know. Nursery owners come down with trays of flowers and plants on sale, antiques dealers start to offload goods that have not shifted in their window displays but that have more than a good chance of being taken off their hands here.
It is worth noting that it is prohibited to sell any alcohol, cigarettes, pornography or counterfeit audio and audiovisual goods such as games and software. You will be ejected from the sale and the police may well be contacted.
Advice to Sellers
There is nothing like arriving early to get in the queue. This might sound particularly British in its punctuality, but the gates to the school open at 7am and people are lining up in their cars, that snake back all the way over the Chiswick Bridge and beyond, from 5am. An ideal time to get there is between 5.30am and 6am and you are more or less guaranteed a place.
The First Wave of Buyers
As you drive in you will then be directed to your spot, obviously those closer to the school buildings are in the heart of it and closer to the bustle. You are advised to be wary and treat all crack of dawn buyers with some caution. The first people who descend upon your car as you are setting up your stall are other collectors and dealers. These people will be looking for the real deals and know how to negotiate and if you are unprepared you stand to lose out. Some might say it is best just to shut your car boot and wait for them to disperse…but if it is clearing out clutter whatever the cost that brings you here, don’t shirk their approaches.
Advice to Buyers
Unless you are really looking for something in particular it is probably not worth racing down to the Car Boot Sale at first light. The early birds will be there for the old collectors records and LPs and other such goods. If you are just interested in strolling around, looking at what’s on offer and browsing the stalls then arrive at any time, and of course remember, most vendors will be dropping their prices drastically around closing time. Do remember to bring some loose change.
When is the Chiswick Car Boot Sale?
The Car Boot Sale is held on the first Sunday of every month – except for January - and is incredibly popular. At times there are close to five hundred cars.
The remaining dates for 2009 are as follows:
- October 4
- November 1
- December 6
The gates open at 8am and the sale is officially over at 1pm.
Where is the Chiswick Car Boot Sale?
Chiswick Community School, Burlington Lane, London, W4 3UN.
Costs for Buyers and Sellers
At the time of writing all buyers had to pay 50 pence per person to enter the Car Boot Sale. Each car as well as walk in seller is charged £12 pounds and any oversized car such as a van is charged £25 - £35 pounds with all proceeds going to the school.
Key Things to Remember
- Bring change.
- Be ready to negotiate.
- Know your prices.
- Do not sell if the price is not right.
- Lock your car doors
- As a buyer, avoid traffic jams and parking difficulties and come on public transport.
 |
